Protective cover structure

ABSTRACT

A protective cover of flexible material such as canvas or duck is mountable in raised position on a support to provide a top portion and depending portions covering and substantially enclosing an area to be protected. The depending portions may be adjustably positioned selectively to provide generally vertical openings in different parts of the cover. When in raised position, the cover material itself can be adjusted to provide a drainage gutter. The cover may also be conditioned for being mounted in unraised, substantially flat condition for protecting an unoccupied area, such as in a boat when moored or being transported. The cover may be set up to protect various other areas, such as on the ground, for example at a camp site.

United States Patent Koontz et al.

[ 51 Oct. 17,1972

[ 1 PROTECTIVE COVER STRUCTURE [72] inventors: Raymond A. Koontz, RD. 4, R0. Box 239; Walter H. Reese, 433 South Juliana, both of Bedford, Pa. 15522 [22] Filed: Nov. 12, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 875,627

[52] U.S. Cl "135/6 [51] int. Cl. .3631) 17/00 [58] Field of Search ..135/1 R, 5 R, 6, 14 D, 14 V,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,067,660 7/1913 Kay ..135/6 1,498,465 9/1924 Marshall ..135/1 R 1,539,907 6/1925 McGill ..135/1 R 2,259,267 10/1941 Ranken ..135/1 R X 3,106,218 10/1963 Wright ..135/6 3,354,892 11/1967 Frieder ..135/6 Primary Examiner-Peter M. Caun Attorney-Baldwin, Wight & Brown [57] ABSTRACT A protective cover of flexible material such as canvas or duck is mountable in raised position on a support to provide a top portion and depending portions covering and substantially enclosing an area to be protected. The depending portions may be adjustably positioned selectively to provide generally vertical openings in different parts of the cover. When in raised position, the cover material itself can be adjusted to provide a drainage gutter. The cover may also be conditioned for being mounted in unraised, substantially flat condi tion for protecting an unoccupied area, such as in a boat when moored or being transported. The cover may be set up to protect various other areas, such as on the ground, for example at a camp site.

7 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUDI 11 m2 3.698.409

sum 1 or 3 INVENTORS RAYMOND A. KCDHTZ L FIG 4 WALTER H. REESE ATTORNEYS 1 PROTECTIVE covna s'rnucruas This invention relates to protective cover structures, and more particularly to structures for protecting areas such as in boats or at camp sites or the like from weather.

The prior art is replete with protective covers for use in connection with open boats, at camp sites, et cetera. Conventionally, such a prior art structure comprises a supporting framework and a cover proper of flexible material.

The present invention relates to this broad class of cover structures, but provides advantages as to flexibility in use, that is adaptability to different areas of use and different weather conditions. Additionally, the present invention provides for conducting water drainage endwise along the top part of the structure so as to prevent or minimize downward falling of water rain or spray all around the cover.

A further advantage of a cover embodying the invention is its adaptability to being mounted in raised condition for protecting an occupied area, such as a manned open boat, or in substantially flat unraised condition for protecting an unoccupied area, for example an unmanned boat when moored or being transported.

An object of the invention is to provide a cover structure having the advantages outlined above.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a structure which is simple and economical to manufacture, and easy to set up and adjust to suit it to different areas to be protected and different weather conditions.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description, the ap pended claims, and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a bow-starboard perspective view of a boat provided with a protective cover structure according to the invention, the cover being shown in raised position above the open or cockpit area;

FIG. 2 is a stern-starboard perspective view of the boat and cover structure shown in FIG. 1, a closure for a window-like opening in the cover being shown in open position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged scale fragmentary section on the line 33 of FIG. 1, showing a drainage gutter extending along the starboard side;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged scale fragmentary section on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1, showing the gutter at the stem end;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective stern-port view showing a rear portion of the cover rolled up;

FIG. 6 is a stern-starboard perspective view showing the cover with a rear cover portion and a starboard depending cover portion folded under a cover top portion;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the boat and a supporting framework mounted on the boat, the cover itself being omitted from this view;

FIG. 8 is a stern-starboard perspective view showing the cover applied to the boat in folded, substantially flat and substantially unraised condition for protecting the boat when unoccupied, as for example when moored or being transported;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged scale section on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8, showing attachment of the cover to a perimetric structure, viz: a gunwale;

FIG. 10A is a developed or laid out view of one half of the cover, specifically that for covering the boat port side, as viewed from outside or above; and

FIG. 10B is a view similar to FIG. 10A, but showing the port side of the cover as viewed from inside or underneath the cover.

Protective cover structures according to the invention are adapted for being set up or mounted to protect areas in different environments, e.g. a boat, particularly an open or cockpit boat, or a ground area, for example at a camp site. A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated and described as being used for protecting an open boat, both when occupied and when moored or being transported, but the adaptability of the cover for protective use in other environments will be clear from the disclosure considered in its over-all context.

The protective cover is shown, by way of example, as being for use in protecting an open or cockpit boat B having a hull H, a stem 1, a bow 2, and sides 3, 3. The upper portion of the boat is formed with a perimetric structure such as a gunwale 4 indicated in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 and more specifically shown in FIG. 9. Seats 5 are shown.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 7, a support S constituted by an open framework is mounted on the boat for supporting a cover C in raised position. The support comprises four vertical members 6, two adjacent to but spaced aft of the bow and two adjacent to but spaced forwardly from the stern, mounted in suitable clamps or sockets 7 secured to the hull sides. A cross-member 8 extends between the upper ends of the vertical members 6 adjacent the stern, and a crossmember 9 extends between the upper ends of the vertical members 6 adjacent to the bow. A central fore-andaft or longitudinal member 10 extends between the mid-portions of the cross-members 8 and 9. Very slightly below the cross-members 8 and 9 are two longitudinal or fore-and-aft side members 11, one on each side being connected to the upper portions of the vertical member 6 at the associated side. The members 8, 9, l0, and 11 provide upper supporting means spaced above the area to be protected. The several support members 6, 8, 9, l0, and 11 are connected by T-fittings l2 and elbow fittings 13 as shown in FIG. 7. The frame members preferably are of metal tubing and suitable ones of the frame members may be formed of telescopic sections to enable adjustments to adapt the frame or support S for being mounted on boats or otherwise to protect areas of dimensions which may vary within a reasonable range.

The cover C, which is formed of flexible sheet material such as canvas or duck, is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6 as being supported in raised position by the support S on the boat B. Considered generally, the cover C includes a central top portion or panel TP, a starboard depending portion or panel SDP, a port depending portion or panel PDP, and a rear or stem depending portion RDP, contoured and connected together as explained hereinafter. The top portion TP includes a generally horizontal relatively rectangular uppermost panel section 14 resting upon the top of the framework support S, a generally triangular downwardly sloping bow section 15 with its apex secured to the boat bow, and a rear stern section or portion 16 which slopes downwardly to the transom at the stern.

FIGS. A and 108 show one half of a cover, specifically the port side half, developed and laid out with certain mating edges being disconnected and others being joined by seam lines. The drawings do not include a similar or companion laid out or developed view of the starboard side half. However, the starboard side half is a mirror image of the port side half, so that no substantially duplicative view is required. In the complete structure, the port and starboard halves are joined along the seam line 17 shown in FIGS. 10A and 108.

Still referring to FIGS. 10A and 108, the port depending portion PDP has one relatively short longitudinal edge stitched to the top portion section 14 along a seam line 18, and a substantially parallel relatively longer edge 19. At the stern end of the port depending portion PDP, the rear edge 20 is inclined and is provided with snap fastener parts 21 adapted to connect with snap fastener parts 22 on the rear depending portion RD? and with snap fastener parts 23 adjacent to the rear end of the top portion section 14 when the cover is to be set in raised position on the support S. At its forward or bow end, the port depending portion PDP has an extension 24 delineated by the longer longitudinal edge 19 previously referred to and a concave edge 25 provided with snap fastener parts 26 adapted to be connected to snap fastener parts 27 along a curved line 28 adjacent to the port edge of the triangular bow section but spaced inwardly from that edge.

The starboard half of the complete cover has its depending portion SDP contoured similarly to the port depending portion PDP except for being a mirror image of the latter, and is similarly equipped with snap fastener parts cooperable with snap fastener parts secured to the top portion TP and rear depending portion RDP.

When the cover C is supported in the raised position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it provides a substantially complete enclosure over the area within the boat. In this condition, the snap fastener parts 21 on both the port and starboard depending portions are snapped with the fastener parts 22 and 23 adjacent the stern, and the snap fastener parts 26 are snapped to the fastener parts 27 adjacent the bow. The apex of the downwardly sloped top portion section 15 is secured to the port bow as explained later.

In this condition of the cover C, the bottom edges of the depending portions PDP, SDP and RDP are held down by releasable fasteners 29 comprising tapes or the like equipped with hooks as shown in FIGS. 6, 10A, and 108.

Both port and starboard depending portions are formed with window-like openings 30 preferably provided with screen netting 31. Associated with each opening 30 is a closure flap 32 seamed at 33 to the depending cover portion along the upper edge of the opening 30. The flaps 32 may be held down so as to cover the openings 30 by tying tapes 34 secured to the flaps to tapes 35 secured to the depending portions below the openings 30. The closures 32 may be held in raised position to expose the openings 30 by tying the tapes 34 to other tapes 36 secured to the depending cover portions above the openings 30 as shown in FIG. 2.

The rear or stern depending portion RDP may be rolled up to provide a large opening at the stern as shown in FIG. 5. For enabling the rolled-up portion RDP to be held in the FIG. 5 position, the top portion TP is provided on its outside with tapes 37 and on its inside with tapes 38 as shown in FIGS. 10A and 1013. Thus, when the rear depending portion RDP has been rolled up to the position shown in FIG. 5, the outside and inside tapes 37 and 38 may be tied to one another around the rolled-up portion RDP.

The triangular portion 15 is provided with a semicircular opening 39 as shown in FIG. 1 closed by a removable closure flap 40 equipped with a zipper 41. The flap 40 may be unzipped and folded down into the enclosed area to permit the boatman to see ahead.

It has been explained above how the rear depending portion RDP may be rolled up to the position shown in FIG. 5 so as partially to open the rear of the cover. The cover may also be adjusted so as still further to open the rear by disconnecting the snap fastener parts 21 from the snap fastener parts 22 and 23 and tucking the top portion stern section 16 and the rear depending portion RDP together between the top portion uppermost section 14 and the support members 8 and 10. Still further, either depending portion SDP or PDP may be tucked between the top portion section 14 and the support, thus completely opening the side of the cover. FIG. 6 shows the condition when the starboard depending portion SDP and also the rear depending portion RD? and top portion section I6 are tucked between the top portion section 14 and the supporting framework.

Still further, and again as shown in FIG. 6, the downwardly sloping triangular section 15 may be disconnected from the forward curved lines 25 of the side portions PDP and SDP and tucked between the top portion section 14 and the framework. It is thus apparent that the cover C is so constructed that it is possible to condition it in raised position for adapting it to provide protection and comfort according to varying weather conditions. In one condition of adjustment, not illustrated in the drawings but clearly apparent, all of the depending portions may be tucked between the top portion section 14 and the framework so as to provide simply a substantially flat awning or protective covering without any depending portions.

Although the illustrative embodiment includes snap fasteners 21, 3 3, 26, and 27 for enabling the cover to be adjusted to different conditions as explained above, it will be apparent that other types of fasteners such as zippers could be used.

The several portions of the cover C are so contoured and merged with one another that when the cover is in its raised area-protecting condition as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, a flexible drainage gutter DG may readily be formed to extend along the side edges of the top portion section 14, along both side edges of the top triangular section 15 and across the rear edge of the section 16 of the top portion TP where the section 16 merges with .the rear depending portion RDP.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 103, the upper edge of the port depending portion PD? is seamed to the section 14 of the top portion TP along the line 18 which is spaced inwardly from the extreme outer edge of the section 14. The inward spacing of the seam 18 provides a marginal extension ME of the top portion section 14 which projects outwardly from the merging of the section 14 with the shorter longitudinal edge of the port depending portion PDP. As also shown in FIGS. [A and 10B, the snap fastener elements 23 and 27 attached to the top portion TP are spaced inwardly from the extreme port edges of the top portion sections 14 and 1S. Merging of the top portion section 16 at the rear with the upper edge of the rear depending portion RDP along a seam line 42 is also spaced inwardly, that is forwardly from the extreme rear edge of the top portion section 16. Thus, the marginal extension ME extends completely around the edges of the top portion T? from bow to stem.

The extreme outer edge of the marginal extension ME is hemmed to provide a tubular edge through which a draw rope 43 extends. The rope 43 enters one open end of the tubular hem at the bow, e.g. at the port side as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, and extends completely through the tubular hem, that is along the port edge of the top portion TP, across the rear of the top portion TP, and forwardly along the starboard side of the top portion TP, projecting outwardly from the end of the tubular hem at the starboard bow.

When the cover is supported in raised position on the support S as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the marginal extension ME projects outwardly beyond the sides of the section 14 of the top portion TP, and outwardly beyond the frame members at the adjacent sides of the support S. Drawing the rope 43 tight causes the marginal extension ME to assume a sagging or folded condition as shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4 so as to provide the drain gutter DG. When the rope 43 has been drawn sufficiently tight to form the gutter DG, the rope ends are tied together and to the boat at the bow as shown in FIG. 1. With the drain gutter DG thus formed, drainage from the top sections l4, l5, and 16 will, in the main, be prevented from descending straight downwardly,

the drainage instead running fore-and-aft in the gutter DO and being discharged remote from the area normally occupied when the boat is in use. This is particularly advantageous when the side closures 32 are tied up to expose the windows 30 and when the rear depending portion RDP is raised as shown in FIG. 5.

The foregoing description relates by way of example to use of the protective cover structure for sheltering a boat when occupied. The cover C may also be used to advantage in protecting or sheltering an open boat when the latter is moored or is being transported, for example on a trailer, when it is not desired that the cover be supported in raised condition. in such use, the cover C may be positioned in substantially unraised and substantially flat condition on the boat as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. To prepare for such mounting of the cover on the boat, the support structure S is taken down and stowed in the boat. The cover portions PDP, SDP and RDP, that is all of the depending portions, are folded under the top portion Tl and the cover thus folded is laid over the boat with the marginal extension ME extending over and outwardly beyond the gunwale 4. Then the rope 43 is drawn tight to pull the free hemmed edge of the marginal extension ME under the gunwale as shown in FIG. 9 and the rope tied at the bow, thus securing the folded cover in the flat condition on the boat as shown in FIG. 8.

As previously stated, the protective cover structure can be used for protecting areas other than boat areas, for example a ground area at a camp or other outdoor site, In such use, the support vertical members 6 may, if required, be provided with downward extensions which may be stuck in the ground.

The construction illustrated and described embodies the invention in a preferred form, but it is intended that the disclosure be illustrative rather than definitive, the invention being defined in the claims.

We claim:

I. A protective cover structure comprising a support including upper supporting means spaced above an area to be protected; a cover formed of flexible sheet material and including a top portion resting on said upper supporting means, and depending portions merging with said top portion and extending downwardly therefrom outside of said support at least partially to enclose the area under said top portion, and a marginal extension of said top portion which projects outwardly from the merging of said top portion with said depending portions, said marginal extension having an outer edge spaced outwardly from said support; and a draw rope extending through said marginal extension outer edge, whereby tightening of said draw rope will form said marginal extension into a longitudinal fold providing a flexible gutter positioned to catch water draining off of said top portion and to conduct the drainage water longitudinally endwise of said cover structure, thereby preventing drainage water from flowing directly downwardly from edges of said top portion.

2. A protective cover according to claim 1 in which said support comprises an openwork frame the upper part of which constitutes said upper supporting means, the latter including two longitudinally extending frame top side members upon which said cover top portion rests, said frame top side members being respectively disposed inwardly toward the center of the structure from said top portion marginal extension.

3. A protective cover according to claim 1 including means for mounting said support on a boat.

4. A protective cover according to claim 1 in which at least one of said depending portions is formed with a window-like opening and is provided with a movable closure for said opening.

5. A protective cover according to claim 1 in combination with a boat on which said support is mounted, said support having a front end spaced rearwardly from the boat bow, said cover top portion having a generally triangular section extending forwardly-downwardly from the frame front end with its apex positioned substantially at the bow, the draw rope ends being secured together and to the boat at said apex with the draw rope drawn tight.

6. A protective cover according to claim 5 including means for releasably attaching the lower edges of at least some of said depending portions to the boat hull.

7. A protective cover of flexible sheet material comprising a top portion including a relatively rectangular panel and a substantially triangular front panel extending from one end of said relatively rectangular panel; a rear portion extending from the opposite end of said relatively rectangular panel; and, at each side of said relatively rectangular panel, a side portion having one relatively short longitudinal edge connected to the adgular panel, the other side portion end edge at the end of said cover adjacent said rear portion being fitted with fastening means adapted to releasably connect said other side portion end edge with the adjacent edge of said rear portion.

l l i I 

1. A protective cover structure comprising a support including upper supporting means spaced above an area to be protected; a cover formed of flexible sheet material and including a top portion resting on said upper supporting means, and depending portions merging with said top portion and extending downwardly therefrom outside of said support at least partially to enclose the area under said top portion, and a marginal extension of said top portion which projects outwardly from the merging of said top portion with said depending portions, said marginal extension having an outer edge spaced outwardly from said support; and a draw rope extending through said marginal extension outer edge, whereby tightening of said draw rope will form said marginal extension into a longitudinal fold providing a flexible gutter positioned to catch water draining off of said top portion and to conduct the drainage water longitudinally endwise of said cover structure, thereby preventing drainage water from flowing directly downwardly from edges of said top portion.
 2. A protective cover according to claim 1 in which said support comprises an openwork frame the upper part of which constitutes said upper supporting means, the latter including two longitudinally extending frame top side members upon which said cover top portion rests, said frame top side members being respectively disposed inwardly toward the center of the structure from said top portion marginal extension.
 3. A protective cover according to claim 1 incLuding means for mounting said support on a boat.
 4. A protective cover according to claim 1 in which at least one of said depending portions is formed with a window-like opening and is provided with a movable closure for said opening.
 5. A protective cover according to claim 1 in combination with a boat on which said support is mounted, said support having a front end spaced rearwardly from the boat bow, said cover top portion having a generally triangular section extending forwardly-downwardly from the frame front end with its apex positioned substantially at the bow, the draw rope ends being secured together and to the boat at said apex with the draw rope drawn tight.
 6. A protective cover according to claim 5 including means for releasably attaching the lower edges of at least some of said depending portions to the boat hull.
 7. A protective cover of flexible sheet material comprising a top portion including a relatively rectangular panel and a substantially triangular front panel extending from one end of said relatively rectangular panel; a rear portion extending from the opposite end of said relatively rectangular panel; and, at each side of said relatively rectangular panel, a side portion having one relatively short longitudinal edge connected to the adjacent edge of said relatively rectangular panel and having a relatively longer longitudinal edge parallel to said relatively short longitudinal edge, the side portion end edge at the end of said cover adjacent said substantially triangular panel being fitted with fastening means adapted to releasably connect said side portion end edge with the adjacent edge of said substantially triangular panel, the other side portion end edge at the end of said cover adjacent said rear portion being fitted with fastening means adapted to releasably connect said other side portion end edge with the adjacent edge of said rear portion. 